Pick the 26579 if you want the more wearable, later-generation Royal Oak Concept, and pick the 25979 if you want the early Concept look with its bulkier case, crown-function selector, and tourbillon-first layout. The 26579 is the better daily choice because its ceramic case and flatter profile sit closer to a normal wrist, while the 25979 is the stronger collector story because it carries first-generation Concept DNA. For most people comparing these two references, the order is clear: 26579 first, 25979 only when history matters more than comfort.
fake audemars piguet royal oak concept 25979 price
What is the Royal Oak Concept 25979?
The 25979 comes from the first generation of Royal Oak Concept watches, a line Audemars Piguet introduced in 2002 for the Royal Oak's 30th anniversary. Early Concept models used an oversized case, an openworked hand-wound movement, a tourbillon, and a crown-function selector that let the wearer switch the crown between winding, setting, and other positions.
audemars piguet royal oak concept 25979 fake
The design is angular and technical, with a titanium-led case, exposed bridges, and a rubber or leather strap. Production was tiny, so genuine examples surface at auction more often than in a store.
best fake audemars piguet royal oak concept 25979
What is the Royal Oak Concept 26579?
The 26579 is a later-generation Concept, built around a flying tourbillon paired with a chronograph in a black ceramic case with titanium details. Ceramic resists scratching and keeps the large case looking slimmer than its dimensions suggest.
audemars piguet royal oak concept 25979 super clone
These references were also made in very small numbers, which explains why both watches appear far more often in photos and auction catalogs than on a wrist.
How do the 25979 and 26579 differ?
- Generation: 25979 is early-2000s Concept, 26579 is modern Concept.
- Case material: 25979 leads with titanium, 26579 leads with black ceramic plus titanium.
- Complications: 25979 centers on a tourbillon with a torque and power-reserve display, 26579 pairs a flying tourbillon with a chronograph.
- Wearability: 26579 wears flatter and hides scratches better.
- Availability: both are low-production, and the 26579 runs tend to be smaller.
Which one should you pick?
- 26579 for wearability. The ceramic case, titanium accents, and flying tourbillon layout suit regular use, and the chronograph adds a function you can actually read.
- 25979 for the story. If you want the reference that started the Concept line, its crown-function selector and early openworking are the draw.
- Neither, if you want a simpler Concept. The GMT Tourbillon and Supersonnerie references deliver Concept styling with fewer complications and lower entry prices.
Replica Royal Oak Concept: what actually differs?
The openworked movement is the hardest part of a Concept to copy, so the tourbillon cage, bridge anglage, and engraved text are where differences show first. Case thickness is the second giveaway: genuine Concepts sit relatively flat for their diameter, while many replicas add a millimeter or two.
Check the crown-function selector, the alignment of the sapphire bezel screws, and the finish on the caseback. Note that counterfeit watches are illegal to sell in many countries and hold no collector value, so treat them as fashion pieces rather than investments.
FAQ
Is the 25979 bigger than the 26579?
Both sit in the oversized Concept range, and the 25979 tends to read larger on the wrist because of its thicker case and heavier titanium build.
Which reference holds value better?
The 25979 generally trades higher at auction because of its first-generation status and scarce supply, though condition and paperwork drive results more than the reference alone.
Can a replica Royal Oak Concept pass as genuine?
Rarely under close inspection. The tourbillon cage finish, movement decoration, and case profile are the usual tells when a watchmaker opens the caseback.
Bottom line
Choose the 26579 for a modern, wearable Concept with a ceramic case and a flying tourbillon chronograph. Choose the 25979 if you want the original Concept formula and accept a heavier case, a rarer watch, and a higher price.